Water is safe to drink in district schools

Water is safe to drink in district schools

Posted on 04/26/2016

In light of the recent media attention concerning dissolved lead content in drinking water supply at public schools, Franklin Pierce School District would like to share our most recent voluntary water quality test results, specifically regarding dissolved lead content.

During Mid-Winter Break, on February 18, a representative water sample was taken at each of the district’s schools. The sample was taken five days after school was last in session. All sample results came back BELOW the EPA’s “action level” threshold of 20 parts per billion (ppb) for drinking water (https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/testing-schools-and-child-care-centers-lead-drinking-water). There were two locations – the Collins Elementary Kitchen and the Brookdale Elementary Kitchen – that were close to the 20 ppb threshold but still BELOW the threshold; Collins Elementary Kitchen result was 16.4 ppb, and the Brookdale Elementary Kitchen result was 19.9 ppb. Even though these two locations were still under the “action level” threshold, the district chose to re-test those locations on March 15. The results from the retest of those two locations showed results well BELOW the EPA’s “action level” threshold, as can be seen in the table below.

We want to assure the community that the water in our schools is safe to drink. The district will continue to monitor water quality in the schools.

Franklin Pierce Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to Dr. Shaun Carey, Compliance Coordinator for State and Civil Rights Laws; Wendy Malich, Title IX Officer; or William Rasplica, 504/ADA Coordinator at 315 129th ST S, Tacoma, WA 98444-5099 or at (253)298-3000.